Riilahti Manor (fin. Riilahden kartano, swe. Rilax gård) is an historical manor of the nobility in Bromarv, Raseborg, Finland.[1] [2] [3] [4]
The first mention of the Riilahti Manor in historical records dates back to 1437 and it became a seat farm in 1647. The mansion was owned by Lord High Chancellor of Sweden Axel Oxenstierna in the 17th century.
The Aminoff family has owned the mansion since 1725. The current main building was designed by Johan Fredrik Aminoff, Gabriel Bonsdorff, Johan Albrecht Ehrenström, and Architect Pehr Granstedt. The main building was completed in 1806. Architect Georg Theodor Policron Chiewitz expanded the main building with a new wing during the 1850s.
The manor has an English landscape garden, which was created at same as the new main building. The estate is the only place in Finland where European beeches grow naturally.[5]
Finland was conquered from the Kingdom of Sweden in the Finnish War in 1808–1809. The new Grand Duchy of Finland was created by the Russian Empire in 1809. Emperor of Russia, Grand Duke of Finland Alexander I granted Johan Fredrik Aminoff the title of Count in 1819.
Johan Fredrik Aminoff's son General of the Infantry, Count Adolf Aminoff hosted Emperor Alexander III of Russia's visit to Riilahti Manor in 1884.
Emperor Nicholas II of Russia visited the manor in 1907 with his majesty's imperial yacht Standart. Nicholas II visited the mansion and the Battle of Gangut war memorial.
The Battle of Gangut was fought next to the manor in 1714 during the Great Northern War. The Russian navy led by Emperor Peter the Great defeated the Swedish royal navy for the first time in its history.
Emperor Alexander II of Russia erected a war memorial to honor all sailors and soldiers in 1870. The granite cross is located in the estate next to the Baltic Sea.
In 1925, King of Sweden Gustaf V made an official state visit to Helsinki, Republic of Finland. During the state visit, destroyer Vidar from the Swedish Royal Navy made a visit to the memorial.
Other war memorial was erected in 1928. It commemorates Swedish and Finnish soldiers who died during the battle.
Marshal, Baron Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim and President of Finland Urho Kekkonen visited the estate.
The estate is a popular place for horseriding, fishing, adventure camps, weddings, private parties, and meetings. The estate also provides tours for groups, and rents cottages.[6] [7] [8]
The estate breeds organic Hereford cattle, which is calculated to be CO2-free. Riilahti Manor is the first ranch in Finland to provide CO2-free meat.[9] [10]
Baroness Jessica Aminoff is the current owner of the estate.